Betancourt scorched by critics on way out of Seattle

The Kansas City Royals might wish they had a return policy on their trade for Yuniesky Betancourt, at least if they listen to the shortstop’s numerous critics following Friday’s trade with the Mariners.

Keith Law, a baseball analyst for ESPN.com, says Betancourt “might very well be the worst everyday player in baseball” and says he’s stunned the Mariners actually got something of value in return.

Law’s work can only be read by ESPN.com subscribers, but here’s his critique of the departing shortstop:

Betancourt does nothing well on a baseball field. He can’t hit and has lost bat speed since reaching the majors.

He hacks at everything he sees, and even swings at pitches thrown to other hitters. He has next to no range at short. And he never hustles on anything — not balls hit in his direction, not ground balls he might have a chance to beat out (well, before he let himself go physically).

That story quotes former Mariners teammates Willie Bloomquist. Jose Guillen and Gil Meche at being stunned they were able to pick up Betancourt for just two minor-league pitchers and also notes the financial ramifications.

Betancourt’s contract includes a $6 million club option for 2012 with a $2 million buyout. The Royals are on the hook for that, but Seattle is paying the remainder of his $2 million salary this season.

The Mariners are also paying $2 million over the next two seasons when Betancourt’s salary rises to $3 million in 2010 and $4 million in 2011.

But ESPN.com baseball writer Rob Neyer rips the move in this piece. Neyer, who grew up in Kansas, says it’s moves like this one that have forced him to abandon his former Royals’ fandom.

And Kansas City Star sports writer Bradford Doolittle calls it a “head scratcher” as he breaks down Betancourt’s statistical shortcomings in this scathing blog post.

Time will tell, of course. But from a Seattle perspective, this one seems like a no-brainer. Betancourt’s lack of plate discipline, declining defensive range and lackadaisical response to coaching put him on the outs with the new regime.

Whether Betancourt revives his career in K.C. or not doesn’t matter. He was finished in Seattle and the Mariners at least got something in return.

Now they just have to figure out who’s going to play shortstop in the long run, given Ronny Cedeno really doesn’t seem like much of an upgrade unless he’s been hiding something until now.